“Moran’s survival is a cinematically grand story, bigger than life but not fantastical, dramatically gripping as well as emotionally stirring. An extraordinary, moving account of survival and endurance.” --Kirkus Reviews
“The story of how these two men’s lives dovetail in unexpected ways makes for a powerful story that should be on the shelves of not just World War II collections, but men’s relationship literature and any library collection where stories of friendship and connection are valued.” --D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
“A survival story that bridges generations, told with heart-rending poignancy. Tailspin unveils the twin stories of two remarkable, resilient men facing the biggest trials of their lives. More than a war story, it’s a universal story of family. I highly recommend this book filled with truth and compassion.” --Heather Shumaker, author of Saving Arcadia
“Tailspin is a survival story you’ll never forget. While it centers on the vivid and harrowing tale of Gene Moran’s ordeal as a German POW in WWII—and the trauma that followed him home—the book is more than a tribute to Armbruster’s courageous friend and neighbor. By including the stories of how he worked with Gene to unearth his painful past all while supporting his young wife in her battle with Stage IV cancer and then grieving her death, Armbruster transcends the genre in powerful, surprising ways. What you’re left with, at the end of this incredible reading experience, is a richer appreciation of all the ways we’re connected in our suffering—and the everyday courage it takes to fight, heal, and soldier on.” --Mark Rader, author of The Wanting Life
“Armbruster actually tells three stories in this book. The first is about sensitively getting to know Gene Moran and enlisting his trust; then facilitating the therapeutic sharing of Gene’s traumatic ordeal; and last but not least, the painful telling of his own wife’s battle with cancer. It is three carefully interwoven journeys, well told. Think of Tuesdays With Morrie, Unbroken, and Steel Magnolias all in one.” --Edward Krall MD, MS, LFAPA, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Medical College of Wisconsin
“Tailspin is one of the most engaging books I have ever read. Like his mentor Ben Logan, John carefully and reverently tells a story which was buried in Eugene Moran’s emotional bedrock for years. With patience and respect, the story of a survivor and survival is evoked and intersects with the story of the author. The story is human and humanizing; there is dignity and strength in sacrifice and suffering. These truths are known but seldom spoken with such compassion and competence. Eugene and John invite us to explore our lives of sorrow and joy, triumph and tragedy, by humbling sharing their lives and love with each of their readers and fellow human beings.” --Thomas Thibodeau, Distinguished Professor of Servant Leadership at Viterbo University
“Tailspin is a compelling story that transcends genre. It is about the struggles of two individuals: one surviving horrific wartime events, the other dealing with devastating family tragedy. This narrative demonstrates the power of resilience when confronting the ‘tailspins’ of life.” --Kathleen Hendrickson, retired school reading specialist
“Once I started reading Tailspin, I couldn’t put it down for the better part of two long nights. But beyond being simply gripping, this story of Gene Moran’s life, and how he came to share it with author John Armbruster, is deeply human. An indomitable spirit, sustained through bonds of love and companionship, kept Gene alive through unspeakable horrors of war, then kept at bay the shadows of trauma that followed him home. In bringing Gene’s story to light, Tailspin brings a dark chapter of history into the present and ultimately offers hope that although it may take generations, sharing our stories can help even the deepest wounds to heal.” --Keefe Keeley, co-author of The Driftless Reader
“I have been recommending Tailspin since I read the first draft. The interviews and interactions with Gene later in his life intertwined with the story of his incredible survival make you feel like you’re slipping back into those memories with Gene. Tailspin tells the story of young Gene Moran, tail gunner. It also gives us John and Gene and how they became part of each other’s lives and supported each other through happy and difficult times. Thank you, Gene, for sharing your story. Thank you, John, for sharing with us.” --Joelle Clark, elementary and dance education
“Tailspin is one of the most remarkable stories told of World War II—aviation or otherwise. In numerous interviews over several years, John Armbruster patiently drew out the fascinating details of the wartime experiences of Gene Moran, a B-17 tail gunner. In a clear and straightforward manner, Armbruster sets out Gene’s amazing survival in a fall from 24,000 feet in the tail section of a B-17, imprisonment in two POW camps, and a forced march of several hundred miles in brutal winter conditions before finally being liberated by an approaching American infantry division. The research and writing of this book were especially trying for Armbruster as his wife passed away during this time after a determined fight against cancer. Her story is interwoven with Gene’s story, thus setting this book apart from other POW survival stories. This book is a significant addition to the literature on the POWs of World War II and is highly recommended.” --John Dodds, lead writer for Forward In Flight aviation magazine, retired JAG officer, U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force
"A riveting read! A tribute to one's survival instincts, the Midwest work ethic, community support, and family courageousness and values. Reinforces the cruelty of war and cancer - and the will to overcome! Tailspin leaves us wanting more from this emerging writer." --Gene A. Weber, U.S. Army, 1968-70, Vietnam
"A phenomenal tale of terrible suffering and, through Gene’s eyes, vividly recreates the shared
experience of thousands of Allied prisoners of war surviving the brutality and deprivation of gulags,
forced marches, and starvation. And it goes beyond that, to the post-war suffering of the survivors and
their families. The book spares no punches and is beautifully and compassionately told." --Dean Markwardt, retired educator and media specialist
“Moran’s survival is a cinematically grand story, bigger than life but not fantastical, dramatically gripping as well as emotionally stirring. An extraordinary, moving account of survival and endurance.” --Kirkus Reviews
“The story of how these two men’s lives dovetail in unexpected ways makes for a powerful story that should be on the shelves of not just World War II collections, but men’s relationship literature and any library collection where stories of friendship and connection are valued.” --D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
“A survival story that bridges generations, told with heart-rending poignancy. Tailspin unveils the twin stories of two remarkable, resilient men facing the biggest trials of their lives. More than a war story, it’s a universal story of family. I highly recommend this book filled with truth and compassion.” --Heather Shumaker, author of Saving Arcadia
“Tailspin is a survival story you’ll never forget. While it centers on the vivid and harrowing tale of Gene Moran’s ordeal as a German POW in WWII—and the trauma that followed him home—the book is more than a tribute to Armbruster’s courageous friend and neighbor. By including the stories of how he worked with Gene to unearth his painful past all while supporting his young wife in her battle with Stage IV cancer and then grieving her death, Armbruster transcends the genre in powerful, surprising ways. What you’re left with, at the end of this incredible reading experience, is a richer appreciation of all the ways we’re connected in our suffering—and the everyday courage it takes to fight, heal, and soldier on.” --Mark Rader, author of The Wanting Life
“Armbruster actually tells three stories in this book. The first is about sensitively getting to know Gene Moran and enlisting his trust; then facilitating the therapeutic sharing of Gene’s traumatic ordeal; and last but not least, the painful telling of his own wife’s battle with cancer. It is three carefully interwoven journeys, well told. Think of Tuesdays With Morrie, Unbroken, and Steel Magnolias all in one.” --Edward Krall MD, MS, LFAPA, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Medical College of Wisconsin
“Tailspin is one of the most engaging books I have ever read. Like his mentor Ben Logan, John carefully and reverently tells a story which was buried in Eugene Moran’s emotional bedrock for years. With patience and respect, the story of a survivor and survival is evoked and intersects with the story of the author. The story is human and humanizing; there is dignity and strength in sacrifice and suffering. These truths are known but seldom spoken with such compassion and competence. Eugene and John invite us to explore our lives of sorrow and joy, triumph and tragedy, by humbling sharing their lives and love with each of their readers and fellow human beings.” --Thomas Thibodeau, Distinguished Professor of Servant Leadership at Viterbo University
“Tailspin is a compelling story that transcends genre. It is about the struggles of two individuals: one surviving horrific wartime events, the other dealing with devastating family tragedy. This narrative demonstrates the power of resilience when confronting the ‘tailspins’ of life.” --Kathleen Hendrickson, retired school reading specialist
“Once I started reading Tailspin, I couldn’t put it down for the better part of two long nights. But beyond being simply gripping, this story of Gene Moran’s life, and how he came to share it with author John Armbruster, is deeply human. An indomitable spirit, sustained through bonds of love and companionship, kept Gene alive through unspeakable horrors of war, then kept at bay the shadows of trauma that followed him home. In bringing Gene’s story to light, Tailspin brings a dark chapter of history into the present and ultimately offers hope that although it may take generations, sharing our stories can help even the deepest wounds to heal.” --Keefe Keeley, co-author of The Driftless Reader
“I have been recommending Tailspin since I read the first draft. The interviews and interactions with Gene later in his life intertwined with the story of his incredible survival make you feel like you’re slipping back into those memories with Gene. Tailspin tells the story of young Gene Moran, tail gunner. It also gives us John and Gene and how they became part of each other’s lives and supported each other through happy and difficult times. Thank you, Gene, for sharing your story. Thank you, John, for sharing with us.” --Joelle Clark, elementary and dance education
“Tailspin is one of the most remarkable stories told of World War II—aviation or otherwise. In numerous interviews over several years, John Armbruster patiently drew out the fascinating details of the wartime experiences of Gene Moran, a B-17 tail gunner. In a clear and straightforward manner, Armbruster sets out Gene’s amazing survival in a fall from 24,000 feet in the tail section of a B-17, imprisonment in two POW camps, and a forced march of several hundred miles in brutal winter conditions before finally being liberated by an approaching American infantry division. The research and writing of this book were especially trying for Armbruster as his wife passed away during this time after a determined fight against cancer. Her story is interwoven with Gene’s story, thus setting this book apart from other POW survival stories. This book is a significant addition to the literature on the POWs of World War II and is highly recommended.” --John Dodds, lead writer for Forward In Flight aviation magazine, retired JAG officer, U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force
"A riveting read! A tribute to one's survival instincts, the Midwest work ethic, community support, and family courageousness and values. Reinforces the cruelty of war and cancer - and the will to overcome! Tailspin leaves us wanting more from this emerging writer." --Gene A. Weber, U.S. Army, 1968-70, Vietnam
"A phenomenal tale of terrible suffering and, through Gene’s eyes, vividly recreates the shared
experience of thousands of Allied prisoners of war surviving the brutality and deprivation of gulags,
forced marches, and starvation. And it goes beyond that, to the post-war suffering of the survivors and
their families. The book spares no punches and is beautifully and compassionately told." --Dean Markwardt, retired educator and media specialist